Sports and politics don't mix in this case

I don’t claim to know everything, but something is really wrong in the state of Louisiana. Sure, we have our own problems right here in the Land of Lincoln, but the Pelican State is a mess.

Grambling University forfeited a football game last weekend because of a player’s boycott. I don’t condone the players’ actions, but it affected the other school’s homecoming. Grambling was supposed to play Jackson State, but after a week of sitting out practice it was decided to not play the game.

The Tigers have fallen on hard times in recent years. They are on an 18-game losing streak, having lost eight this season. They have gone through three coaches this year alone. Former Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams was fired after just two games. An interim coach was named, but lasted only until last Thursday before being reassigned in the department. Now Coach 3 tries to right the ship.

It’s not the coaching staff or the players, it’s the Louisiana legislature. Yep, you heard right. The state government has reduced funding to the Afro-American school by almost 60 percent over the years. It’s not only the sports programs, but all school funding. Athletes could go to other colleges on scholarships, but want to attend this university. This year alone, the school had to reduce its operating expenses for the football program by $335,000.

The players were boycotting the program for various reasons, some being inadequate training facilities, riding to games on buses — some as much as 17 hours one way — mold in the locker room and improperly washed uniforms.

The last two were major concerns of the players due in part that the players could get staph infections or worse. I came across some pictures that were posted by the school’s newspaper and I can see why the players were just a little ticked off. By the way, the editor of the school’s paper was fired and the head of the editorial department was suspended for two weeks.

Who’s to blame? Take your pick. The university, for failing to keep the training facilities in good shape for all teams?

Maybe the legislature for not giving the university the money it needs to upgrade their facilities. Whoever is to blame — fix it. These players deserve better.

This was once a proud university, but is just a shell of itself now. It boasts of the winningest college football coach in history — Eddie Robinson.

The Tigers’ marching band has been featured at Yankee Stadium and other prominent venues across the United States. The marching Tigers put on one of the finest halftime shows ever. The football team has played several times in the “Bayou Classic” held at the Superdome, but not in recent years.

Page 2 of 2 - Complaints from those in the state say Grambling is being snubbed by politicians. Those folks say most of the funding is going to the larger universities in the state, like Louisiana State University. This Tigers’ program is a nationally recognized powerhouse. I’m just wondering if the politicians are trying their best to showcase LSU?

Grambling players decided to end their boycott on Monday after contacting some prominent alumni including former coach Doug Williams, who told them, “Go out there and play football. The players were on the practice field Monday afternoon preparing to play Texas Southern University at Grambling on Saturday.

There is some good news coming out of Grambling. It had been reported that players had to bring their own Gatorade to practice and games. Tuesday, a local supplement supplier donated 384 cases of energy drink to the football team. The cases should hold the team through the end of the season.

University officials said they had intentions of upgrading the facilities, but only if the players returned and finished out the season. Maybe it wasn’t the right way to get their point across, but the players now have the attention of politicians, the university and the rest of the country.

I just hope the Tigers can band together and try to straighten out what’s wrong with their football program.